KAMPALA — The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has officially taken custody of 8,857.84 kilograms of wildlife contraband that had been held by the Uganda Aviation Police for more than 14 years following a series of anti-trafficking operations at Entebbe International Airport.
The exhibits, seized between 2011 and 2019 during joint enforcement operations, include large quantities of ivory, pangolin scales, rhino horns and other prohibited wildlife products linked to illegal wildlife trade.
The handover marks a significant step in the management of wildlife crime exhibits, with UWA assuming responsibility for the contraband as investigations and legal proceedings related to some of the cases continue.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Superintendent of Police Adam Kitata, represented by SP Irene Mugoya, thanked UWA for taking over the exhibits, noting that they had occupied valuable storage space at the airport for many years.
She also commended officers who ensured the security and preservation of the contraband throughout the lengthy custody period.
Mugoya revealed that wildlife traffickers had employed increasingly sophisticated methods to evade detection, including concealing ivory among legitimate exports.
“Traffickers used elaborate concealment techniques, including hiding ivory in tins labelled as shea butter,” she said.
She attributed the decline in wildlife trafficking cases through Entebbe International Airport to enhanced security measures and stronger inter-agency cooperation.
According to Mugoya, the introduction of a canine detection unit in 2018 significantly strengthened efforts to identify and intercept illegal wildlife products before they could leave the country.
Assistant Commissioner for Law Enforcement and Operations at UWA, Margret Kasumba, praised the Aviation Police for safeguarding the exhibits for over a decade and maintaining accurate records throughout the process.
“We thank the Uganda Aviation Police for preserving these exhibits for more than 14 years and ensuring their integrity throughout that period,” Kasumba said.
She confirmed that joint inventory audits conducted by UWA and the Aviation Police verified that all items handed over matched the original seizure records and documentation.
Kasumba emphasized that combating wildlife crime requires continued collaboration among conservation agencies, law enforcement institutions and security partners.
She said partnerships between UWA, the Uganda Police Force and other government agencies remain critical in disrupting wildlife trafficking networks and ensuring proper management of exhibits recovered from criminal operations.
Uganda has in recent years intensified efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, a transnational crime that threatens endangered species and undermines conservation gains across Africa.
Authorities say sustained enforcement, improved surveillance systems and enhanced intelligence sharing have contributed to a reduction in trafficking attempts through the country’s main international gateway at Entebbe.
The latest handover underscores Uganda’s commitment to protecting wildlife and strengthening the fight against illegal wildlife trade, which continues to target species such as elephants, rhinos and pangolins for international black markets.
